su works but sudo doesn't work.
 

When I run "su" and enter the password I get access to a root terminal, but I can't "sudo" a command using the same password that I used to "su". So I su'ed to root and "passwd root" and entered a new username and password, then exited the su'ed session, but "sudo" still doesn't work. I have ubuntu.

I think this might just be some minor confusion on the password to use.

for su you use the password of the user you are switching to.

for sudo you use the password of the current user.

You also have to make sure that you user you are trying to sudo from has the ability to run things as root (i.e. is in the sudoers file and/or has 'executing system administration tasks' checked in their privileges)

From the sounds of it your problem is the former.. use your current password to sudo. This lets you give people the ability to run certain "administrator" tasks without needing to have them know the root password. the tasks they can preform can be limited by editing the sudoers file. 'man sudoers' at the command line will give you a rundown on that.

Hope this helps
Freemor

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